Most people will spend the vast majority of their lives waiting for the ‘perfect moment’ or the ‘right time’ to make time for themselves, and do something they’ve always wanted to do. Traveling is something that almost everyone desires to do, but are constantly thinking that we have to be a ‘certain age’ or ‘save up a certain amount’ to do so.
The truth is that the best time to go abroad is ideally in your twenties since you have the least amount of commitments in life (e.g. family, children, mortgage, job, etc.). Here are 5 pieces of advice for students who desire to travel.
1. Don’t Let Finances Hold You Back
Nothing good in life is free, but some of the costs of traveling can be distributed to your education. The most common method is to take the avenue of studying abroad through the various Student Exchange Programs and Studying Abroad Scholarships. The foundations or institutions hosting you will cover some of the financial costs of traveling and you do not have to sacrifice the progression of your education to do so. An affordable paper writing service at Proessaywriting.co.uk also might be helpful.
2. Take Control of Your Education
Most of us have more control over our education than we realize, with one of the major ones being, where and how we learn. It is just a matter of taking action and signing up for the studying abroad program. Some countries may have some strict requirements, but most of them are centered on having valid legal documents (i.e. Passport, Student ID, etc.).
It is also important to remember that whenever you travel that you should plan for an extension of stay. By planning for a longer stay, it gives time for exploring and/or planning that you otherwise may not have had if you were to go on a short schedule.
3. Talk to Someone Who’s Done It
It is always helpful to talk to someone who may have traveled there, as they may give you some insight as to some of the things that you should expect. Most universities have International Student Departments and are happy to put you in contact with others from your country. Talking to someone who has stayed there for extended periods can help alleviate some of the fear of traveling to a new and unknown place.
4. Take a Backup Device
Wherever you travel, you should always make sure that you have some kind of backup smart device. It could be an iPad, or an older smartphone just as long as it can use WiFi or allow you to contact someone. The most common occurrence is loss of battery, and you should always have some device to help you get where you want.
5. Make Friends with Locals
Getting to know some of the locals wherever you go is always advantageous as it helps you learn more about the place, its culture, and its customs. The famous/touristy places can sometimes be very packed and overpriced, and only the locals will be able to guide you to the cheaper, and more authentic establishments.
The main thing that we should remember though is, we should be respectful to their culture and customs, as you are a guest in their country.
